Officials expect a gathering of at least 50,000 for the function at Smriti Upvan

The stage is set for a grand swearing-in ceremony of UP’s first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the last 15 years. The party and state government officials roped in for the arrangements are expecting gathering of not less than 50,000 for the function at Smriti Upvan.

Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at least 15 union ministers, four BJP governors, six chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, their allies and saffron cadres from across the country are also expected for the swearing-in.

The venue will be manned by around 8,000 officials, police personnel, central paramilitary forces, bomb disposal squads and special commandos equipped with drone cameras and metal detectors.

The venue being spruced up for the swearing-in ceremony.
(Deepak Gupta/ HT Photo )

“After the announcement of the swearing-in ceremony for the new chief minister, state government functionaries rushed in to make arrangements and ensure security at Smriti Upvan. We examined the entire area,” said A Satish Ganesh, inspector general of police, Lucknow zone.

Sharing the plan, the IG said two stages will be set up at the venue — one for governor Ram Naik and the other for the PM, cabinet ministers, senior leaders, CMs and other state governors. The governor’s stage would be small, from where the new CM and ministers will take oath while the second stage would be larger.

Ganesh said the existing stage at the ground will not be used as its alignment was not found according to the plan. The seating arrangements for at least 50,000 people are being made and entry/exit will be allowed from only four gates. He said the separate arrangement for at least 500 media persons and parking lot for outdoor broadcasting vans of electronic channels will also be made.

“Arrangements for illumination have been made as the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to start at 4.30pm on Sunday. Moreover, at least 15 large LED screens will be installed all over the ground so that people can watch the proceedings from anywhere in the ground,” said the IG.

PM’s route plan yet to be finalised

The route plan for Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Amausi airport to the venue is yet to be finalised. State authorities have chalked out two plans — via Shaheed Path and another by Kanpur road. But it will be finalised after clearance of Special Protection Group (SPG) officials, who will be doing rehearsal on both routes on Friday night. Moreover, the authorities are yet to receive a minute-to-minute plan of the PM.